Browsing by Author "Christopher, Neema"

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    Community willingness in providing home based care for people living with HIV/AIDS, Ileje district
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2008) Christopher, Neema
    The purpose of the study was to investigate community’s willingness in providing home based care for people living with HIV/AIDS using the case of Ileje district in Mbeya region. Specifically, the study examined community willingness in provision of home based care for people living with HIV/AIDS, assessed the community perception towards caring people living with HIV/AIDS, and explored kinds of home based care services for people living with HIV/AIDS. The study employed descriptive qualitative design using a sample of 56 respondents who were obtained through purposive sampling. An interview guide and non-participatory observation were used to obtain the required information to research questions. Findings were qualitatively analyzed and presented in a descriptive approach. It was found that the higher level of willingness among community members to provide HBC services to PLWHA revealed was due to psychosocial factors such as love, intimacy, empathy and personal satisfaction. Lack of proper knowledge particularly how HIV transmission occurs compounded by stigma emerged as obstacles that contributed to low levels of willingness to provide HBC to PLWHA. However, lack of comprehensive home based care services to PLWHA was caused by structural factors such as poverty, negative perceptions towards PLWHA, stigma, lack of clear social networks support at family and community levels which were specifically for helping PLWHA, their caregivers and/or immediate dependants. It was recommended that organizations for PLWHA will make their needs visible, enhance community discussion about their needs and problems, spontaneously minimize negative perceptions and stigma from community, and hence increase willingness and participation of community members individually and in groups/organizations to provide care and support to PLWHA while at homes.